CPOTEL Eric Clyde MORAN 19610

 Born: 4^th June, 1914 – Died 4^th June, 2009  

Good afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen, 

          My name is Warrant Officer Marty GROGAN and I have been asked by the MORAN family to say a few
words about Eric’s Navy and Post Navy activities in support of Navy Veterans and their families. 

          I must state unequivocally that I have never met another person who has done more for the Navy family
 than Eric.  Why Eric was not recognised for this volunteer service by either the previous British Award
 System or the current Australian Award system, I do not know.  However, knowing Eric as well as I do and
 how humble he was,  he  probably was nominated for an Award and declined to accept same. 

I have known Eric nearly twenty years and although young enough to be his Son we shared many
 interests and we were both principal Carers for our wives. 

Eric’s Naval Career was extensive and varied beginning with his entry into the RAN on 3^rd June, 1932
 just one day before his eighteenth birthday.  He initially signed on for a period of 12 years but this was
 extended because of the Second World War.  Eric rose through the ranks quite rapidly and was promoted
 to a Chief Petty Officer Telegraphist just 10 years and four months after joining.  A truly remarkable feat
 indeed.  He was demobbed on 5^th February, 1946 having completed nearly 14 years service. 

His sea postings were extensive: 

HMAS AUSTRALIA  - 16DEC33 to 4JUL34

HMAS CANBERRA – 5JUL34 to 19APR35

HMAS BRISBANE – 20APR35 to 26SEP35

HMAS SYDNEY 27SEP35 to 29DEC37 (Comm crew in U.K.)

HMAS VAMPIRE – 1APR39 to 18MAY39

HMAS SWAN – 19MAY39 to 9MAR40

HMAS SHROPSHIRE 25JUN43 to 1945 (Comm crew in U.K.) 

 The only respite from arduous sea service was when he was posted to HMAS CERBERUS as a
 Petty Officer instructing in morse code. 

Remarkably, 3 of the Ships he served on were sunk during the War, HMAS SYDNEY, VAMPIRE
 and CANBERRA. 

Shortly after being promoted to Chief Petty Officer in 1942, Eric was posted overseas to Chatham
 Dockyard standing by for the commissioning of HMAS SHROPSHIRE.  Because of his skills he was
 seconded to HMS WOLFE which was a  Depot Ship for support of the 3^rd Submarine Flotilla based in the
 Clyde.  Most appropriate bearing in mind that his middle name was Clyde. 

Eric served with distinction onboard HMAS SHROPSHIRE  particularly during the Naval Battle of
 Suriga Strait which is now known as the last Great Sea Battle in WW2.  He was awarded a Mention in
 Dispatches on 1^st January, 1945,  for this action, his citation reading “For gallantry in the face of the enemy
 in HMAS SHROPSHIRE”  During the period June, 1944 to June 1945 the Ship spent over 9 months at sea.  

In 1947 he joined the Naval Association of Australia.  From 1975 to 1990 he was the Federal Vice
 President of the NAA and was awarded Life Membership in 1983.  He was still a financial member of the
 Melbourne Sub Branch at the time of his death.  Over 60 years service. 

In 1948 he was a Foundation Member of the HMAS SHROPSHIRE Association, Inaugural Vice
 President of the Association and still the Vice President at the time of his death. He has been the only Vice
 President the Association has ever had. He was awarded Life Membership for this dedication.  Another
 remarkable 60 years of service. 

In 1969 he joined the Committee of the Melbourne Naval Centre and was a Vice President for many
 years.  He was awarded a Life Membership for this 40 years of service. 

In 1992 he became a Member of the HMAS SYDNEY and V.L.S.V.A. (Vic) and this is the only
 Committee he never actually served on.  Bear in mind he was 78 years of age when he joined us.  He along
 with all other ex HMAS SYDNEY 2 Sailors were granted Honorary Life Membership from their date of joining. 

You will have heard/or will hear of his other passions but one in particular always fascinated me and
 that is photography.  I have here today a special photograph taken by him as HMAS BRISBANE was
 transiting the Suez Canal in 1935 on its way to the U.K. to pick up the Nuship HMAS SYDNEY.  Eric took
 this photograph from the Ship and I believe it is very unique.  I also have another couple from his private
 collection which I had blown up some years ago for various HMAS SYDNEY exhibitions we have held. 

His real passion (particularly in later years when he was forced to slow down to about half pace) was
 his morse code for which he never lost the ability to perform.  I believe he was still tapping out messages on
 his personal machine only a few weeks before his death.  

The Navy family has been blessed by his dedication and commitment  spanning  60 years. 

He was certainly a quite achiever and we are all going to miss him dearly.